A sure sign of a dictator seeking to widen his base of power is to attempt to silence critics, in any way possible — even if they are battle-worn, war-tested, smart and intelligent people — who just happen to disagree with the dictator's policies or actions.

This is the scenario playing out, not in some slice of popular fiction by John le Carré, or in another country — North Korea, say, or Syria, or Venezuela — but right here in the United States of America.

And it is a card being played by a man who is supposed to represent the entire republic, not just those who voted for him, and not just those who support his policies.

In the characteristic knee-jerk fashion that we have come to expect in the hellish, roller-coaster ride that has been the first year-and-a-half of his presidency, President Donald Trump threatened Monday to remove security clearances from several top former officials — who served both Democratic and Republican presidents — who dared to speak critically of Trump for his dismal, disorienting and disgusting recent summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at which Trump, inexplicably, failed to challenge Putin on Russia’s role in interfering in U.S. elections.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump was exploring “mechanisms” to revoke security clearances for former U.S. officials who have criticized him for his handling of the Russia investigation and his relationship with Putin. Among those being targeted are former CIA Director John Brennan, former National Intelligence Director James Clapper, former CIA Director Michael Hayden and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

“They politicize and in some cases actually monetize their public service and their security clearances in making baseless accusations of improper contact with Russia,” Sanders said.

These autocratic tendencies shown by Trump have long since passed the wearying stage. They are now squarely into the worrying stage.

They are one of the clearest signs yet that Trump has no clue what this country is about, or the principles upon which it was founded.

This is not a dictatorship, Mr. President. You cannot just blithely move to silence critics. This is America, where people have the right, indeed, the responsibility, to question their government and its leaders.

Security clearances can allow government officials to work with companies on classified defense programs and advise private contractors. They also can be something of a professional courtesy, allowing former national security officials to talk to their successors.

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AP reporter Jill Colvin says the president's announcement that he is considering revoking security clearances of some former top national security officials is the latest step in what has become a "war" with the national intelligence community. (July 23)
AP

In this, there would seem to be a critical need, as Trump’s outbursts and declarations on foreign policy — including numerous insults and dismissals of our traditional allies — have cut across norms, set by both Democratic and Republican administrations, established over more than 70 years. What’s more, having a security clearance does not give anyone access to classified information.

Brennan, who served in a senior role under President George W. Bush and was CIA director under President Barack Obama, was particularly critical of Trump's handling of his meeting in Helsinki with Putin. After a news conference in which Trump appeared to favor Putin’s denials over the findings of the intelligence community, Brennan wrote on Twitter that the president’s performance was “nothing short of treasonous.”

Michael Hayden, another former CIA director, said that removing his security clearance will not stop him from speaking up when he sees fit.

“I don’t go back for classified briefings. Won’t have any effect on what I say or write." Hayden tweeted shortly after Sanders made her announcement.

While it is heartening to know that these former officials who have so ably, and so honorably, served their country will not be silenced by this overbearing, overreaching president, Trump’s possible move to try to intimidate these patriots is as un-American as it gets.

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